Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines and Shenzhen Airport Group signed a cooperation agreement on Thursday January 9 that will see the airline increase its presence from the airport.
The new agreement will see both parties cooperate in network expansion, aviation logistics, and joint marketing as well as an increase in flight capacity and more passengers with the development of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, construction in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and the development of a “pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics”.
The airline said in a press release that it will “actively develop new strategic destinations that have strong industrial correlation with Shenzhen”, add new Asian or even intercontinental routes, gradually boost flight frequencies to its international destinations from Shenzhen, and optimise travel between domestic and international flights.
China Eastern added that Shenzhen has always been a key city for its further development. Currently, the airline flies to 16 domestic destinations from the southern Chinese city. The airline also operates three flights per week from Shenzhen to Bangkok, which is its only international destination from the Chinese city, though both outbound and return flights are red-eyes.
In 2019, Shenzhen Airport reached an annual passenger volume of 50 million, and an annual international passenger volume of five million.
In other China Eastern news, the airline announced it would launch a new daily service between Beijing’s new Daxing Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport starting March 29 this year.
China Eastern to launch Beijing Daxing-Paris route in late March
